Fire kills elderly man, no smoke detectors in home

Fire officials say they found no working smoke detectors at a two-flat where a 93-year-old man died and four people were injured when fire broke out early this morning in the Irving Park neighborhood.

Benito Quinones was found dead in his home in the 3800 block of North Lawndale Avenue. A neighbor described him as a family man who lived with his wife, two daughters, a son and two grandchildren.

The fire was reported at about 12:30 a.m. and five ambulances were sent to the scene, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Kevin MacGregor. The blaze was under control by 1:20 a.m.

The fire is believed to have begun in a bedroom and living area on the first floor of the two-story brick building, said MacGregor. The bedroom was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

Quinones' body was found in the bedroom. He died of carbon monoxide intoxication and smoke and soot inhalation, said the Cook County medical examiner's office. His death was ruled accidental.

Three women and a man were taken in fair-to-good condition to hospitals, MacGregor said. He did not know their ages but said they were elderly. Another man escaped without injuries, MacGregor said.

Firefighters rescued a dog on the second floor that did not seem injured.

The neighbor said she woke to firefighters breaking windows to Quinones' home to fight the fire. She and four other people living in her home were told by firefighters to leave their home because of the smoke.